Spring construction



Dec. 15, 1964 L. E. FREY SPRING CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 9, 1962 INVENTOR.

LOUIS E. FREY FIG. 3

United States PatentO 3,166,894 SPRING CONSTRUCTION Louis E. Frey, 382 Fairway, Wichita, K2215. Filed Jan. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 165,131 6 Claims. (Cl. -243) This invention relates to foundation means and in a more specific aspect to a spring means for a bed or the like. In a still further specific aspect, the invention relates to spring means for a bed or the like which is constructed to receive and hold thereon a mattress or similar article and wherein the various portions of the spring means are independently compressible in response to a weight placed thereon in use.

Various types of spring means are known including spring means for a bed or the like. In the prior art bed spring constructions, the individual springs are tied together lengthwise and transversely to provide the necessary unitary structure and in many instances a relatively heavy metallic member or tie wire extends around the entire spring unit. The spring means for beds and the like of the prior art are covered or enclosed by suitable fabric cover means and in some instances resilient pads or ele mentsare positioned between the cover means and spring units. In the prior art constructions, the individual springs or portions of the entire bed spring are not individually compressible but a load or weight placed on one portion of the bed spring causes depression of all the surrounding portions thereof and a result improper and uneven support is provided for the supported article or individual and gives rise to a hammock-like effect. In

en base member which is positioned on and supported i by the slats and extendsvtrans'versely relative thereto.

' ports are provided and each of the spring units has one of the pad supports positioned on the top convolution i addition, the prior art spring constructions arenot only inefficient in supporting a single body on a bed or the like but when two or more people are reclining on the bed the center portion of the spring unit is relatively heavily weighted and the edge portions thereof are relatively lightly weighted which tends to cause the individuals on the bed to be urged toward the center portion of the bed. Furthermore, movement by one person on one portion of the bed is easily transmitted through the spring means to the other portion of the bed which is undesirable, particularly where one or both parties are light sleepers.

In accordance with the present invention, foundation means for a bed or the like has been provided which eliminates the deficiencies of the prior art constructions. The foundation means of the invention includes support means. Spring means are provided and carried by the support means. Cover means separately cover each of the spring means.

In a preferred specific embodiment of the invention,

a bed spring is provided which includes a rectangular open wood frame having two spaced and generally parallel side members joined at the ends totwo spaced and generally parallel end members. gated boards are provided and each of the side members has one of the boards secured thereto along the inside lower edge portion thereof and extending substantially the entire length thereof to provide oppositely disposed ledges positioned in mirror image relation. A plurality of slats or support means are provided and extend transversely across the frame in spaced and generally parallel relation with the end portions of the slats resting on and supported by the ledges. The frame includes .a ledge or border portion around the upper edge thereof which extends inwardly and a pad of resilient material is provided and is positioned onthe ledge or border member andis of size to substantially cover'same. A fabric frame cover is provided and is secured to the frame to cover the inner edge of the ledge or border portion, side surface of the side and end members. A plurality of elongated spring units or elements are provided and are positioned. within the frame and preferably extend Two narrow and elonthe pad and the out- A plurality of coil springs are provided and each of the spring units or elements has a plurality of the coil springs secured to the base member and the springs are longitudinally aligned therealong. A plurality of tie wires are provided and each of the spring units has one of the tie wires secured to the top convolution of each of the f:

coil springs therein. A plurality of elongated pad sup of the coil springs and elongated pads of resilient material are positioned on or secured. to the pad supports. Preferably a stretchable ticking fabric is provided for each of the spring units and the spring units or elements are individually covered and enclosed. The separately covered spring units or elements are individually compressible in use in response to the load placed'on each of the units and compression or depression of one of the units does not cause movement of the adjacent ones thereof. i I

In another preferred specific embodiment of the invention, an open frame is provided which has two spaced side members positioned in generally parallel relation joined at the ends to two spaced end members which are also in generally parallel planes. Ledges means are formed on the side members mirror image relation, preferably by a board orthe like secured to the lower edge portion of the side members and extending substantially the entire length thereof. A plurality of slats or support means extend transversely across the framein spaced and generally parallel relation with the end portions of the slats resting on and supported by the ledgea. The frame includes an outer border or ledge portion of resilient or spring elements which are compressible and wh ch are positioned at the outer periphery of the hen spring unit. The border portion of the spring includes a base. member which is supported by the frame and the provided and is supported by the coil springs and extends entirely around the border portion. A pad of resilient material or the like is positioned on the pad support and extends around the border portion. Cover means encloses and completely surrounds the border portion of the foundation. A plurality of elongated spring units or elements are provided and positioned within the frame and extend from one of theend members to the other of the end members with the spring units being supportedby the slats. Each of the'spring units includes a flat base member which rests on and is supported by the slats. A plurality of coil springs'are positioned. on the base member and extend upwardly therefromand have a tie wire extending therebetweenand secured'thereto, preferably to the top convolution thereof. "A' plurality of elongated pad supports and pads are provided and; each of the spring units has one of' thepad supports positioned on thecoil springs thereof andione of the pads positioned on the pad support. A suitable fabric is preferably provided for each of the spring units and the spring units are individually covered with the fabric and:

entirely closed thereby. The spring unit is constructed so that the individual spring units and the border portion of the bed spring areiseparately and individually com pressible in use.

Accordingly, it is an object of the. invention to provide new foundation means.

Another object of the invention is to provide new spring means for a bed or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide new bed spring means which includes a plurality of separately covered spring elements constructed and positioned in assembled relation to be independently compressible or depressed in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide new bed spring means including separate spring elements or units which extend longitudinally substantially the length of the spring means whereby depression of one side portion of the spring means is not transmitted to the other side portion thereof.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the bed spring means of the invention and illustrating the outer appearance of both preferred specific embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial isometric view, partially in cross section and partially broken away, illustrating a preferred specific embodiment of the spring means of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross section view illustrating another preferred specific embodiment of the invention. 1

The following is a discussion anda descripion of pre ferred specific embodiments of the new spring construction of the invention, such discussion and description being made with reference to the drawings whereon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the sameor similar parts and/or structure. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a bed foundation or spring means constructed in accordance with preferred specific embodiments of the invention. Theouter appearance of both preferred specific embodiments described in the application are the same and are represented by the spring 10 of FIG. 1. The spring or foundation 10 includes an outer border portion or ledge portion having side members or portions 12 and 14 which are connected in their ends to end members 16 and 18 to provide a continuous border. or ledge at the outer periphery of the spring unit 10. A plurality of elongated spring units 20 are provided and are positioned between the side portions 12 and 14 on end portions 16 and 18 of the bedspring 10. Two preferred specific embodiments of the foundation or bed spring 19 are illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings. 7

In the preferred specific embodimentof theinvention illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings, an open wooden frame is provided as shown generally at 24 and includes side members 26 and end members 28, there being two side members positioned in spaced relation and generally 1 parallel to each other and two end members in spaced and generally parallel relation in the'manner illustrated in FIG. 1. Suitable mounting portions are provided with the frame 24. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the mounting'portion includes an elongated 4: slats 32 form support means for the center portions of the foundation.

The frame 24 includes an inwardly disposed ledge or border member 34 which is secured to the upper edge portions of the side members 26 and end members 28 and extends entirely around the outer periphery of the frame. Suitable braces or support members 36 can be provided and secured to the side members 26 and end members 28 and to the ledge or border portion 34 to support same. A pad or strip 38 of a resilient material, such as a plastic foam, foam rubber or the like, fibrous materials such as cotton, or other suitable material is preferably provided and is positioned on the ledge or border portion 34 and extends entirely around the frame means and substantially covers the element 34. v

A cover 40 of a suitable fabric encloses the outer portions of the frame. The cover 40 is preferably secured to the inner edge portion of the ledge or border portion 34 and extends across the resilient pad or strip 38 and downwardly along the side members 26 and end members 28 and is secured to the lower or bottom edge portions thereof. The cover fabric or material 40 is preferably tightly positioned around the frame and can be a stretchable fabric to insure a tight fitting cover and eliminate formation of creases and the like as a result of deformation of the pador resilient member 38.

' A plurality of elongated spring units 44 of like construction are positionedbetween the portions or elements of the frame 24. The spring units 44 can extend longitudinally along the bed spring as illustrated in connection with the units 20 of FIG. 1. Or they can be positioned transversely across the frame, if desired.

Each of the spring units 44 has a base member 46 which is preferably a flat wooden member and the base members 46 are positioned on andare supported by the slats 32 and can be secured thereto by nails, screws or other suitable means, if desired.. The base members 46 each have a plurality of coil springs 48 positioned thereon in a longitudinally extending row and such can be secured to the base members by staples 50 or other suitable fasten ing means. A plurality of tie wires 52 are provided and each of the spring units 44 has one of the tie wires 52 therewith which extends along the sides and ends .of the spring unit and is preferably secured to the upper convolution of each of the coil springs 48 by suitable clamp means 54.

Pad supports 56 are provided and are supported by and can be secured to the top convolution of the springs 48. The pad supports56 are preferably wider than the base members 46 and extend the entire length of the unit 44. Each of the pad supports 56 receives and holds a pad or strip of resilient material 58, such preferably being a sponge or foam material including foam rubbers, plastic foams such as polyurethane foams, etc. spring units 44 is covered with a suitable fabric 60 which Each of the is preferably a stretchable fabric and the fabric 60 extends from the sides of the base members 46 upwardly board 30 which is secured to the side member 26 along the lower inside edge portion thereof and extends substantially the entire length thereof to provide a ledge.

and is positioned in mirror image relation to the board 30 and the upper edges of the boards 30 provide ledges.

Support means are provided with the frame. Preferably, a plurality of slats 32 extend transverselyacross the frame 24 in spaced and generally parallel relation with the end portions of the slats resting on and supported by the ledges or upper edge portions of the membersl3ll. The

' similar board is secured to the other of the side members h along the sides of the coil springs 48 and across the resili'ent pad 58 and is secured in its edge portions to the base member 46. If desired, the fabric can extend along the loweror under side of the base member also. Preferably, the fabric 60 is stretched tight to eliminate the formation of creases in the fabric in use. I a

i When the spring'unit constructed in accordance with FIG. 2 is assembled, the unit has an outer appearance as illustrated by the bed spring 10 in FIG. 1 and the spring units 44 are individually compressible or movable in re- J sponse to the weight or load placed thereon in use and movement of one of the spring units 44 does not cause displacement. or movement of the spring units adjacent .theretorf T he spring units 44 f are separately removable for replacement or repair, if necessary.

Another preferred specific embodiment of the invention a is shown generally at 'Tfiin FIG. 3 and is of the same construction as the previously disclosed and described enihodtment with the exception of the border or ledge porg tion of the device. In this embodiment, the ledge or border portion is shown generally at 72 and includes side portions 74 and 76' positioned in generally parallel planes and joined at their ends to end portions 78 in the manner illustrated for the bed spring of FIG. 1. Each of the side portions 74 and 76 includes suitable frame means, such preferably including elongated boards or outer members 80 and 82 and relatively narrow boards or inner members 84 and 86 secured to the members 80 and 82, respectively. The members 84 and 86 form ledges or mounting means on which a plurality of slats 88 are positioned with the end portions of the slats resting on and supported by the members 84 and 86. The border includes a base member 90 which extends along each of the side portions 74 and 76 and across the end portions'78 and is supported by the frame members 80 and 82 and the slats 88.

A plurality of spring means or coil springs 92 are pro vided and are positioned on and secured to the base member 90 by suitable fastening means 94, such as staples. A tie wire 96 is preferably provided and extends along both sides and ends of the spring unit 44. The top convolution of each of the the springs 92 is preferably secured to the tie wire 96 by a clamp 98 or other suitable fastening means.

The springs 92 support a pad support 100 which extends entirely around the border member 72and has positioned thereon a pad 102 which is preferably formed of a resilient material such as foam rubber, foam plastics, etc. The entire border member 72 is covered with a suitable covering fabric 104 which extends from the inner edge of the base member 90 upwardly along the sides of the springs, over the pad 102 and downwardly along the other side of the springs and the frame members 78, 80 and 82 and is preferably secured to the lower edge portion thereof. Preferably, the fabric cover 104 is a stretchable fabric and is-stretched tight when in place;

A plurality of elongated spring units 186 are provided and are positioned between the border or frame member 72 in the manner previously described in connection with the spring units and 44 of FIG. 1. Each of the spring units 106' includes a base member 108 which is positioned on and-supported by the slats or support means 88. and extends transversely thereacross. The base members 188 support a plurality of coil springs 110 which are prefervably secured to the base members 108 by suitable clamping means 112." 'Wire tie-members 114 are provided and are preferably secured to the upper convolution of each of the coil springs 110 by suitable clamp means 116. Each 'of the ties desirably extends longitudinally along both sides of the spring units 106 and across the ends thereof.

The foundation or bed springs of the invention canbe used with any mattress construction and is particularly suitable for use with the mattress constructions shown and described in my copending patent application titled Mattress Construction, Serial No. 165,132, filed January 9, 1962.

While the invention has been described in connection with preferred specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that this description and discussion is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims.-

I claim:

l. A bed spring comprising, in combination, a rectangular open wooden frame having two spaced side members joined at the ends to two spaced end members, two narrow and elongated boards, each of said side members having one of said boards secured thereto along the inside lower edge portion thereof and extending substantially the entire length thereof to provide oppositely disposed ledges, a plurality of slats extending transversely across said frame in spaced and generally parallel relation with the end portions. of said slats resting on and supported by said ledges, said frame including an inwardly disposed ledge portion at the upper edge thereof extending entirely therearound, a'pad of resilient material positioned on said ledge portion and of size to substantially cover same, a

fabric frame cover secured to said frame and covering the inner edge of said ledge portion, said pad, and the outside surface of said side and end members, and a plurality of elongated longitudinally extending segregated spring units positioned within said'frame and extending from one of said end members to the other of said end members, each of said spring units having a flat wooden base member resting on said slats, a plurality of coil springs, each of said base members having a plurality of said coil springs secured thereto, aplurality of tie wires, each of said spring units having one ofsaid tie wires secured to the top convolution of each of said coil springs, a plurality of v elongated pad supports, each of said spring units having one of said pad supports positioned on said top convolution of said coil springs, and a plurality of elongated pads of a resilient material, each of said pad supports having The coil springs lltl'support pad supports118 which in turn receive and hold pads 120 of a suitable resilient mato entirely enclose the spring units; As will be apparent from FIG. 3, the pad supports and pads are preferably relatively wide in comparison to the base members 108 and the downwardly converging sides prevent any possibility of one of the spring units 186 engaging and causing movement of adjacent spring units when depressed. The bed spring construction shown in FIG. 3 has the "same'outer appearance as that shown in FIG. ,1 with the border member 72 at the outer periphery and with the spring units 106 positioned between and substantially filling the space between the portions of the border member.

The spring units 106 are individually compressible or movable in direct response to the load or weight placed thereon in use and movement'of one of the spring units i V is not imparted to and does not cause movement of adjacent ones thereof.

one of said pads positioned thereon, and a plurality of pieces of covering fabric separately covering and entirely enclosing and segregating each of said spring units,,the

portions of said covering fabric positioned over said pads being the outer surface of said bed spring, said bed spring being constructed and adapted so that each of said spring units are independently compressible in response to a load placed thereon.

2. A bed spring comprising, in combination, a rectangular open wooden frame having spaced side members joined at the ends to spaced end members, twonarrow and elongated boards, each of said side members having one of said boards secured thereto along the inside lower edgethereof and extending substantially the entire length thereof to provide oppositely disposed'ledges, a plurality of slats extending transversely across said frame in spaced and generally parallel relation with the end portions of said slats resting on and supported by said ledges, a resilient border member positioned at the'outer periphery of said frame and extending upwardly therefrom and. supa ported by said slats and said frame; said border member including a base member extending entirely around said frame, a plurality of coil springs, each of said springs being secured to said base member and extending upwardly therefrom, wire tie means with said springs connecting same, a pad support'carried'by said base member T and positioned in generally parallel relation to said base member, an elongated pad of a resilient material, said pad being positioned on said pad support, ai'fabric cover secured to said base member along the inside edge thereof and enclosing said pad, said springs and the outer surface of said frame and secured to the lower edge portion of i said frame, and a plurality of individual elongated spring I units positioned within said frame and extending from one of said end members to .the other of said end members, each of said spring units having a base member posi tioned on and supported by said slats, a plurality of, coil springs, each of said last-named base members having a plurality of said last-named coil spring positioned thereon and secured thereto, a plurality of tie wires, each of said spring units having one of said tie Wires secured to the top convolution of each of said coil springs therein, a plurality of elongated pad supports, each of said spring units having one of said pad supports positioned on said top convolution of said coil springs therein, and a plurality of elongated pads of a resilient material, each of said pad supports of said spring units having one of-said lastnamed pads positioned thereon, and a plurality of cover members, each of said spring units being separately covered by one of said cover members with said cover members extending from one side of said base member along the sides of said coil springs across said pad and along the other side of said coil springs and secured to both sides of said base member thereby segregating same from the other spring units, the portions of said cover members positioned over said pads being the outer surface of said bed spring, said bed springs being constructed and adapted so that said border member and each of said spring units are individually and separately compressible in response to the weight placed thereon in use. 1

3. A bed spring compri 'ng, in combination, an open frame member having spaced side portions and spaced end portions, each of said side portions of said frame member having a ledge'formed thereon and positioned in mirror image relation, support means extending between and positioned on said ledges of said side portions of said 7 frame member, and a plurality of individual elongated spring units positioned in parallel relationship within said frame and extending from one end portion thereof to the other end portion thereof, each of said spring units having a base member supportedlby said support means, a plu rality of coil springs'positioned on said base member and extending upwardly therefrom, connecting means connectunits are independently movable and compressible in response to the weight placed thereon in use.

4. Spring means for a bed or the like comprising-in combination, open frame means, said frame means having mounting portions thereon in facing relation, support mean-spositioned on said mounting portions of said frame means, and a plurality of elongated longitudinally extending compressible members, said compressible members being positioned in close proximity toIeach other within said frame means and carried by said support means, separate cover means on each of said compressible members and said frame means with said covermeans: being the outer surface of said spring means and with a portionfof said cover means being positioned between adjacent ones of said compressible members, said compressible members being independently compressible in'response to a weight placed thereon in use. 1 a

5 Foundation means for a bed or the'like comprising, in combination, support means, a plurality of spaced rows of resilient means, each row having a plurality of spaced resilient means therein, separate means on each of said rows providing an upper generally 'flat elongated outer surface spaced from said support means with the outer surface of'said rows and separate means normally being substantially coplanar, and cover means on said foundation means, said cover means separatelyenclosing the top ing said plurality of coil springs to said base member, an 4 elongated pad of resilient material on and supported byf said plurality of coil springs, and cover means, said cover means of each of said spring units being positioned over the outer surface of said pad of-said spring unit and along at least a portion of each side of said spring unit, the portions of said cover means positioned over said pads being the outer surface ofsaid bed spring, said bed spring being constructed and adapted so that each of said spring and sides of each'ot' said rows of resilient means to thereby segregate each of said rows and permit free and independent movement of the outer surface of each of said rows of resilient means and said-separate means thereon.

6. The foundation means as recited in claim 5 additionally comprising means positioned around and in close proximity to the outer periphery of said rows of resilient means and defining a border for said'foundation means,

said border being operatively'connected to said support means and a surface of said border means being substantially coplanar with said outer surfaces of said separate means.

' References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 62,248 Best Feb.f1 9, 1867 141,726 Pollitt Aug. 12, 1873 833,464 Karpen Oct.f16, 1906 1,371,362 Giese Mar/15, 1921 1,929,110 Ferris Oct. 3, 1933 2,560,018 Warner July 10, 1951 2,771,129 Platt Nov. 20, 1956 3,031,690

Ramsay May 1, '1962 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No,, 3 160 894 December 15 1964 Louis Eu Frey It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered paten't requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as "corrected below Column 1 line 29 after "and" insert; as colulmnfi llne 55 for "longudinally" read longitudinally column I line 42 after "material" insert positioned =0 Signed and sealed this 27th day of April 1965 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER ERNEST W. SWIDER Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

4. SPRING MEANS FOR A BED OR THE LIKE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, OPEN FRAME MEANS, SAID FRAME MEANS HAVING MOUNTING PORTIONS THEREON IN FACING RELATION, SUPPORT MEANS POSITIONED ON SAID MOUNTING PORTIONS OF SAID FRAME MEANS, AND PLURALITY OF ELONGATED LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING COMPRESSIBLE MEMBERS, SAID COMPRESSIBLE MEMBERS BEING POSITIONED IN CLOSED PROXIMITY TO EACH OTHER WITHIN SAID FRAME MEANS AND CARRIED BY SAID SUPPORT MEANS, SEPATATE COVER MEANS ON EACH OF SAID COMPRESSIBLE MEMBERS AND SAID FRAME MEANS WITH SAID COVER MEANS BEING THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID SPRING MEANS AND WITH A PORTION OF SAID COVER MEANS BEING POSITIONED BETWEEN ADJACENT ONES OF SAID COMPRESSIBLE MEMBERS, SAID COMPRESSIBLE MEM- 